Summer sizzles with education opportunities

Posted: Wednesday, May 14, 2003

Summer 2003 will be one for the record books for KPC. The college is looking forward to more summer activities than seen at any time in recent memory. In addition to all the summer classes being offered, check www.kpc.alaska.edu for the schedule, as there will be a variety of short term "institutes" and "academies" offering a little something for everyone.

Kenai Fishing Academy: KPC is launching this program designed to integrate expert classroom instruction with guided fishing experiences to practice the techniques learned in the classroom. Two one-week programs will occur this summer. The June 16 to 20 program will center on spin and bait casting tackle and the July 14 to 18 series will focus on fly-fishing equipment and techniques. For more information, visit the KFA Web site at KenaiFishing.kpc.alaska.edu or call 262-0300 and ask for the Kenai Fishing Academy.

The Youth/Teen Fine Arts Institute: This will be the sixth year this institute will be offered at KPC as a result of a partnership with Soldotna Community Schools. This program is aimed toward kids in preschool or kindergarten through the 12th grade. Younger kids (preschool through sixth grade) attend from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 16 through 20, with a $150 tuition fee. Preschool and kindergarten are in a self-contained atmosphere rich in art and music while first- through sixth-graders get four choices from a list that includes photography, art, dance, music, etc. The teen portion is scheduled for June 14 and 15, and they choose one class photography, dance or soft sculpture for the two days. The $60 tuition covers both days. Registration forms are available in area schools or by calling Soldotna Community Schools at 262-6768.

Dena'ina Athabascan Language Development Institute: This program is being offered from May 19 through June 6 to those interested in learning more about the Dena'ina language. The institute is being co-sponsored by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Native Language Center, the Interior Athabascan Tribal College and KPC. Five different classes are being offered for college credit, and housing is available. For more information, call (800) 478-6822 ext. 3287.

The Dena'ina Festival: The Kenaitze Indian Tribe will host a three-day Dena'ina Festival from Friday to Sunday immediately preceding the Language Development Institute. There will be a large gathering of Dena'ina speakers from across the Dena'ina region who will hold language sessions, and a potlatch will be held Saturday. KPC is honored the event will take place on campus. For more information, call 283-3633.

Teacher Science Camp: This program, open to both secondary and post-secondary students, will take place from June 2 through 4 in conjunction with the American Chemical Society. The program will include modules that cover carbonated beverage and petroleum technology models. For more information, e-mail Colleen Ward at xcel@alaska.com .

Teachers Professional Development Institute: Teachers will have an opportunity to explore current educational issues and earn professional development credits this summer at KPC. Eight different courses are scheduled, all of which provide practical guidance and thoughtful insight to help teachers improve classroom teaching and learning. For course descriptions, call KPC Student Services at 262-0330.

Who's Who

KPC's Who's Who highlights the faculty and staff who work hard to make KPC a college of first choice. This week KPC would like to introduce an assistant professor of business administration.

Who: Ray Zagorski

Academic background: Zagorski earned both his bachelor of science and masters of business administration degrees from Wayne State University.

Time in Alaska: "Carol and I had been living in Key Largo, Fla., and we felt that we needed a drastic change, sort of a fourth or fifth mid-life change thing. I was offered a teaching position at UAA/KPC, and so we came to Alaska in 1990. It was 30 degrees below zero that November, and we thought we really made a bad mistake, as we wondered what the temperatures might be like in January; anyway, it warmed up, and we soon found our hearts were warmer here than any place else."

Hobbies/interests: "My hobbies are spending time with Carol and pets, traveling and collecting art and antiques. Carol is an artist, and we have been to Europe numerous times and visited most of their major museums, and have seen most of the Lower 48, parts of Mexico and Central America."

Memorable job: "From 1978 to 1985, while teaching at a midwestern university, Carol and I also owned and operated a farm with cash crops and hundreds of animals. The experiences were memorable, and although the lifestyle was pleasurable, it was very consuming we did not take a vacation for years."

Five years from now: "In five years, I hope to continue to have fun, be a positive influence and enjoy my teaching at KPC. I am very proud of being a teacher and passionate about teaching and helping others; I hope this feeling continues forever."

Favorite thing about KPC: "What I like most about KPC is a student I've been with for over 30 years. It has been a joy to watch Carol improve by taking KPC classes. Students are where it's at, and seeing them progress, receiving an "attaboy" from them, and the electricity of everything from the opening class to a glassy-eyed commencement keep me going. The diverse student body at KPC plus an extremely dedicated and compassionate faculty and staff create a wonderful teaching-learning environment. Boy, I like teaching, and especially teaching at KPC. I constantly tell students, Find something you like to do, and you'll never work another day in your life.'"

This column is provided by Suzie Kendrick, community relations coordinator at Kenai Peninsula College.